I am considering buying a projector to use at home mainly for watching DVD's and to be used with the playstation, can anybody recomend any ?
I would like one that is 16:9 but other than that haven't got a clue what to look for.

Any recomendations and suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.

 

There are a number of projectors that will do the job, but IMHO you would be better off (financially) with a plasma display. A replacement bulb for a projector will cost you around £300, they are not covered under warranty and can go after only a few weeks!! I recently bought a 42" plasma after alot of reseach and it's the dogs danglies!

Let me know if you want any more info.

 

Rdraper.

How much do you want to spend?
Plasma displays are ok, but for £ per foot of image LCD PJ's are the way to go. Bulbs last 2-3000 hours so should last 2-3 years for average use.

Check out.
http://www.avforums.com/ and http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forum...1470&forumid=9

 

Bulbs should last 2 - 3 years, but often don't. LCD, in large format, is still relatively new compared to Plasma and price per inch is considerably more expensive. LCD will undoubtedly be the way to go in the future, but for now Plasma will give you the best value for the greatest screen size.

 

do it buy one i have the sonyvw10ht and they are great i have a 7ft sceen and would prefer this to plasma, if its quality your after buy one of the sonyvw range or one of the sim200 or above range, depends on your budget though but these are the two top ranges for home projectors.

 

Best budget projector by far is the Sanyo PLV-Z1 available from £1250 16:9 ratio. This is an excellent bit of kit. If you want more information mail me. We also sell the SIM HT300+ the Daddy of them all at £8500

 

Definately projector over plasma (although plasma is better quality) I couldn't slum it with a 42'' screen the projector is 4x the size i.e. 100 inch diagonal plus. Also you can plug PCs, playstations etc. into them.
The weak point of projectors is contrast - i.e. it will struggle a bit on something like the opening scenes of Gladiator where it's all quite dark, but will excel on something vibrant like shrek.
DLP projectors rather than LCD are much better on contrast and around the 2 grand mark now.
Bulb life is much better than it used to be - my Sony VPL-CS10 is rated around 1200 hours and has a bulb life counter - I've only used 120 hours in a year and a half. The bulbs don't go pop, they just get dimmer and dimmer.
Oh and you can claim it if you're a 'tractor like me

 

check this link out http://www.soundandvision.uk.com/deals10.html

 

or this one www.bestpricetv.com

 

http://shop.frogcreation.com

Might be able to do you a deal on price as well.

Cheers!

Phil

 

Don't know what all this bulb blowing voodoo crap is???

 

6 months warranry on Plus bulbs.

We've had at least 2000 hours on ours no probelm.

Phil

 

just my 2p's worth

I bought a Optima HS50 DLP which throws a 70" diag image the picture is superb IMHO and we sat and demoed 5 on the same afternoon in the same room. Sanyo Z1 LCD, SIM DLP, Sharp DLP etc... You will always compromise on something noise, cost, size but I am really happy with this setup we only use it for watching DVD's though, a giant Pat Butcher somehow does not appeal.


Bad points -

The panel is 4.3 which I was opposed to initially but it is a fantastic picture

Some people complain of seeing a strobe flashing from the image
but me and the good lady are oblivous to this, just as well really

Final Point

Whatever you decide demo your short list it first and make sure that the company you buy from will either check for dead pixels (LCD only)or has a good exchange policy.